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Latest news from the Science Center, our resident companies and the innovation ecosystem.

March 12, 2018 | Science Center In The News

Artists and scientists look for common ground, thanks to this Knight Foundation grant

Three artists will spend three months posted up in University City with one goal in common: exposing the subtle poetry of science. A $50,000 grant from the Knight Foundation to the University City Science Center will allow artists to explore working on creative research projects in the lab of Integral Molecular, a biotech company located at 3711 Market.

Community and Collaboration Collide on Innovation Plaza

At uCity Square, the first signs of spring weather mean one thing - lunch on the Plaza. Innovation Plaza, that is. This pocket-park located along the 37th Street walkway between Market and Chestnut Streets is a gathering space for uCity Square employees, residents, and the surrounding West Philadelphia community. Innovation Plaza is the product of a collaboration between seven partners...

$50,000 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Grant Will Support BioArt Residency at the University City Science Center

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded the University City Science Center a $50,000 grant to establish an artist residency program that explores developments in science and biotechnology. Three artists will each spend three months working on creative research projects in the lab of Integral Molecular, a uCity Square-based biotechnology company. This grant is part of a $920,000 investment the Knight Foundation announced in the arts today.

From diversifying arts board leadership to commissioning 25 Asian-American artists to create site-specific works, a range of projects from nine Philadelphia arts organizations will receive $923,600 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The groups are large and small, ranging from the Kimmel Center to the experimental performance group Swim Pony.

Finding Art in the Gut, and Other Unexpected Places

QED Spotlight: Treena Arinzeh

As a curious kid, recent QED awardee Treena Arinzeh created imaginary experiments in the kitchen with her mom, a home economics teacher. That curiosity sparked a lifelong interest in science, and led to a career in engineering. When Treena’s high school physics teacher encouraged her to pursue a career in STEM, she was game – even though she had never met an African American engineer.

MassChallenge Texas Announces Inaugural Class of Startups

MassChallenge, a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators, today announced that 84 of the world’s highest impact, highest potential early-stage startups will come together in Austin, Texas for the not-for-profit's first ever Texas-based accelerator. The 84 startups represent a range of industries from agriculture to gaming, and consumer to medical devices.

A Philly company disrupts the home pregnancy test

In the late 1970s, the first over-the-counter home pregnancy tests were introduced to the American market. Now, nearly 40 years later, Lia Diagnostics is about to launch a new generation of flushable tests, made of biodegradable paper, not plastic.

ForbesBooks Radio Interview with Jeanne Mell

Jeanne Mell, VP Marketing Communications & Community Engagement at the Science Center, talks about the mission-driven nonprofit that catalyzes and connects startups, research, and economic development in life & physical sciences, healthcare & technology.

$5 million from Lenfest Foundation will bring career training to West Philly

In West Philadelphia, where some 81,000 residents live under the poverty line, access to skills and a pathway to careers can provide lasting change. That’s the driving force behind the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, a joint effort from Drexel University, the University City District and the University City Science Center that received a $5 million grant from the Lenfest Foundation Thursday.